Situated along the Haya River in the hills of Gora, Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG offers 100 guest rooms and suites, each featuring a private tub fed by natural hot spring water. This 5-star property blends contemporary boutique design with elements drawn from Hakone’s centuries-old onsen culture. In this review, we synthesise guest ratings from TripAdvisor, Booking.com and Trip.com alongside official hotel information to help you decide if this property suits your Hakone stay.

Last checked: 2026-08-30

Property name: Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG · Location: 924-1 Kiga, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture · Star rating: 5-star · Number of rooms: 94 guest rooms and 6 suites · Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM · Key amenities: In-room onsen baths, hot spring bath, sauna, fitness center, free WiFi, restaurant, bar, shuttle service

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora at a glance

1 Guest ratings across platforms

• TripAdvisor: 4.1/5 (TripAdvisor) · Booking.com: 8.7/10 (Booking.com) · Trip.com: 9.1/10 (Trip.com)

2 Star rating

• 5-star property per IHG detail page (IHG)

3 Number of rooms

• 94 guest rooms and 6 suites (100 total) per official site (Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora)

4 Location

• Along the Haya River in Gora, Hakone, about 400 m from Gora Station (Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora)

Key facts

Property name	Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG
Location	924-1 Kiga, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0402
Star rating	5-star
Number of rooms	94 guest rooms and 6 suites
Check-in / Check-out	3:00 PM / 11:00 AM
Key amenities	In-room onsen baths, hot spring bath, sauna (currently unavailable), fitness centre, free WiFi, restaurant, bar, shuttle service
Style	Modern boutique with Hakone heritage inspiration

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora spec sheet

Parent brand	IHG Hotels & Resorts
In-room onsen	Private tub with natural hot spring water in all rooms (Official onsen page)
Public onsen hours	7:00 – 22:00, day-use fee ¥1,500 (Official onsen page)
Swimwear rental	¥500 (waived for IHG One Rewards members)
Restaurant	On-site, sources venison from local nuisance-control hunting (Official hotel page)
Shuttle service	To/from Gora Station (specific schedule per hotel)
TripAdvisor rating	4.1/5 (Travelers’ Choice distinguished) (TripAdvisor)
Booking.com score	8.7/10 based on hundreds of reviews (Booking.com)

Is Gora a good place to stay in Hakone?

Gora is the highest point on the Hakone Tozan Railway and a hub for many sightseeing routes. The hotel sits along the Haya River, about 400 metres on foot from Gora Station, and a complimentary shuttle covers that distance. Guests on TripAdvisor often mention the location as convenient for accessing the Open-Air Museum, Lake Ashi and the Pirate Ships, but several note that the walking path lacks pavements and the area feels quiet after dark. On Trip.com, the location scores approximately 8.9/10, while TripAdvisor users rate it lower at 3.6–3.7/5 (TripAdvisor). That gap suggests that regional travellers may value the quiet riverside setting, while international guests sometimes find the isolation restrictive.

What this means: If you want a central, walk-everywhere location, Gora may feel too calm — but for a tranquil onsen retreat with shuttle access, it fits perfectly.

What are people saying about Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG?

Over 1,200 TripAdvisor reviews and hundreds on Booking.com and Trip.com paint a consistent picture: the private in-room onsen is the star. “The onsen in the room was an excellent amenity,” one TripAdvisor guest wrote. Another on Trip.com said: “Our room had a beautiful river view and a private onsen, a real highlight.” Across all platforms, the hotel scores in the mid-4s out of 5 for rooms (4.5 on TripAdvisor), cleanliness (4.6–4.7) and comfort (9.4 on Booking.com). Booking.com guests rate staff at 9.2, and both TripAdvisor and Trip.com reviewers frequently call the staff friendly and helpful. Criticisms centre on dining: options are limited on-site and prices are high. A few guests mention less professional service during peak check-in times, but most praise the overall experience.

“Highly recommend the Indigo Gora hotel. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Room was clean and quiet, it was easy to sleep well.”

— GroovyM (TripAdvisor reviewer)

The pattern: Private onsen and modern design win consistent praise; limited on-site dining is the most frequent complaint.

Is Hotel Indigo considered luxury?

Hotel Indigo positions itself as a boutique lifestyle brand within IHG’s portfolio. The Hakone Gora property carries a 5-star rating from Booking.com and IHG, and its nightly rates on TripAdvisor typically fall between approximately US$276 and US$748 (TripAdvisor price range). That is upscale, though it sits below top-tier luxury ryokan that charge north of US$1,000 per night. The hotel does not offer butler service or multi-course kaiseki dining in-room; instead, it delivers luxury through design, comfort and the private-onsen-in-every-room concept. On Trip.com, the facilities rating is 9.0/10, and on Booking.com facilities score 9.2/10, suggesting guests perceive the physical product as high-end.

The trade-off: You get a modern, design-led luxury experience with excellent amenities, but not the traditional service-heavy luxury of a full-service ryokan.

Is Hotel Indigo a ryokan?

No — Hotel Indigo is a Western-style boutique hotel, not a ryokan. Ryokan are characterised by tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding, communal baths (often gender-separated) and multi-course kaiseki dinners included in the rate. At Hotel Indigo, rooms have hardwood floors, beds, and private hot-spring tubs. The public onsen is gender-separated but the design is modern, not traditional. The hotel does serve a Japanese set dinner in its restaurant, but it is not part of a ryokan package. Several reviewers on TripAdvisor who expected a ryokan were disappointed; others who wanted a contemporary room with onsen access were delighted. The official site emphasises “modern boutique” with “Hakone heritage inspiration,” which is an accurate description.

What to watch: Book here if you want hotel-style comfort plus private onsen. If you seek tatami, tatami, and kaiseki, look for a traditional ryokan in Hakone Yumoto or Miyanoshita.

Is Hotel Indigo worth it?

The answer depends on what you value. On Booking.com, value for money scores 7.8/10 — the platform’s lowest category for this hotel — while cleanliness and comfort both sit at 9.4. That gap tells you that guests feel the quality is high but the price is steep. The private in-room onsen is a genuine differentiator: every room has a natural hot-spring tub, so you are not dependent on public bath hours. The shuttle to Gora Station runs regularly, and the riverside setting is peaceful. However, dining is limited and expensive — one Trip.com reviewer noted “the coffee price at the hotel was expensive.” If onsen-access and modern design are priorities, the hotel largely delivers. If you want a fully immersive ryokan experience with included meals, the price may feel misaligned.

“Nice Hotel but Location is Restrictive.”

— John and Deb K (TripAdvisor reviewer)

The bottom line: Excellent product in a quiet location, but value perception is mixed — best for travellers who prioritise onsen and design over dining and nightlife.

Pros and cons

Best for

• Couples seeking a romantic onsen getaway — private in-room tubs make it ideal for two.
• Design enthusiasts — the modern interiors with local heritage touches earned praise.
• Solo travellers — quiet atmosphere and easy shuttle access suit single visitors.

Pricing expectations

Based on TripAdvisor price data, a standard room at Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora typically costs between approximately US$276 and US$748 per night. This places it in the upscale bracket for Hakone, comparable to high-end boutique hotels but below top ryokan rates. Breakfast is not included in the base rate; the hotel offers it as an add-on.

Location and getting there

The hotel is at 924-1 Kiga, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is about a 5-minute walk from Gora Station on a footpath some guests described as unlit in parts. A free shuttle runs between the hotel and the station; check the current schedule at check-in. From Tokyo, take the Shinkansen to Odawara, then the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora (approx. 2 hours). Parking is complimentary for guests with a car.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora offer a shuttle service?

Yes, the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to and from Gora Station. Official materials confirm the service, though specific hours are best confirmed at check-in.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 3:00 PM, check-out until 11:00 AM. Minimum check-in age is 18.

Is breakfast included at Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora?

Breakfast is not automatically included in the room rate; it can be added as a paid option. Guests on TripAdvisor note that breakfast quality is good but the cost is relatively high.

What amenities are available at the hotel?

The hotel offers an in-room hot-spring tub in every room, a public onsen (7:00–22:00, fee ¥1,500), fitness centre, restaurant, bar, free WiFi, complimentary parking and shuttle service. The sauna is currently unavailable and the foot bath & café were temporarily closed as of April 2024. (Sources: official onsen page, IHG detail)

Does Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora have a restaurant?

Yes, the hotel has an on-site restaurant serving a menu that includes locally sourced venison as part of sustainability initiatives. Some guests find the dining options limited and prices high.

Is Hotel Indigo part of IHG?

Yes, Hotel Indigo is a brand of IHG Hotels & Resorts. The Hakone Gora property participates in the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, and suite purchases may earn points.

How far is Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora from Gora Station?

The hotel is approximately 400 metres on foot from Gora Station, about a 5-minute walk. A free shuttle is provided. The distance is confirmed by the tourism board site and guest reviews.

Can I book a room with a private onsen?

All rooms at Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora — both standard rooms and suites — are equipped with a private tub filled with natural hot spring water. This means every booking includes a private onsen experience.

The bottom line: All rooms at Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora — both standard rooms and suites — are equipped with a private tub filled with natural hot spring water. This means every booking includes a private onsen experience.